Beauty Beyond
the
gears
A Italian-Steampunk inspired collection that focuses on amputee individuals. In creating cyberware juxtapositions with classical Italian Renaissance depiction of true beauty, Beauty Behind the Gears revisions what beauty is through the lenses of disability.
The collection consists of casual, evening-wear, formalwear, swimwear, and athletic-wear. Lauryn implemented classical steampunk elements such as gears and piping and various browns. She put her own spin on the popular steampunk corsets by having gold decals and flat-back skeleton finishes to create an interesting path on Italian-Steampunk fashion. The pinks soften the look in contrast with the interesting cutouts exposing the under and upper bust. Mechanical Butterflies are seen on some of the pieces, representing rebirth in coordination with the several Italian Renaissance artworks.
Pulling from Classical Renaissance works, Lauryn was captivated with Leonardo da Vince's Wreath of Laurel, Palm, and Juniper with a Scroll Inscribed Virtutem Forma Decorat. The phrase that "Beauty Adorns Virtue" was one of the core inspirations for Beauty Beyond the Gears because of how the text looks beyond surface level beauty, taking in account moral and virtuous characteristics that emanates true beauty.
With her love for all facets of science-fiction, Lauryn explored steampunk by combining specially designed prosthetics to create unique "cyberware" for amputee individuals. She researched several companies implementing the use of AI and new technology in prosthetics to envision her designs in the technological changing landscape in and outside of the fashion industry. In collaborating with prosthetic companies Esper Bionics, Beauty Beyond the Gears cyberware strives to implement sensory feedback, translation intention, personalization, and predictive maintenance in all of its creations.